The institution of marriage has been around for over 4000 years, although thankfully it has developed into an expression of love and commitment for most people, rather than the business transaction it started as. As a result of its long history, traditions have developed over the years, and some continue to feature in weddings today.

Whilst modern weddings more than ever tend to be personalised to the wishes of the couple, rather than following a compulsory format, choosing to take a modern twist on some old ideas can be a fun way to both keep tradition and have it your own way too.

Here, we take a look at how you can make your own twist on the popular wedding poem ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’.

Something old

More often than not, the something old at a wedding is a family heirloom. If you have any pieces of jewellery, vintage lace from your mothers or grandmothers dress or cufflinks that have been passed down, your wedding is the perfect special occasion to get them out on display.

Alternatively, why not opt for a vintage car to get to and from the ceremony, or for when you leave at the end of the night? Not only does this tick the ‘something old’ box, but there are plenty of different options here, meaning that whatever wedding theme you’re going for, you’re likely to find a car to suit.

Something new

Whilst this requirement is often ticked off the list by the bride’s dress, or a brand new diamond engagement ring, there are plenty of other options. However, do make sure that your engagement ring is clean and sparkling, ready to show off on the big day – you can be sure that your guests will want to have a closer look once it’s next to your new wedding ring.